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Because only together we can

build a world where all of today's youth are safe, strong & valued

WHO WE ARE

Making a Real Difference in People’s Lives.

Spotlight UK started in April 2009.  We started out to provide low cost activities to help increase confidence and self esteem to children and young people across Basingstoke.  However this vision quickly grew and we were able to provide emotional and practical support as well as enjoyable and fun activities to hundreds of children and young people across the area every year.

Year by year we have grown our support and now work across Basingstoke & Deane, Hart and Rushmoor, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Dorset, Buckinghamshire, Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex and London.

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WHAT WE DO

Sponsor A Child

We want to help give children hope, and you can help. £4 per week pays for a child to take part in activities to increase confidence, self esteem and social interaction and improving mental health and resilience.

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Child and Youth Support

We provide 1-2-1 mentoring and emotional support for children and young people aged 7-19 years from vulnerable backgrounds                                                 

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Show A Little Love

Show a Little Love is Spotlight UKs 2022 care package scheme! This is where we collect and buy supplies for a box of gifts that we gift to children who need “A Little Love”.

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Christmas Appeals

Christmas is a time of giving and helping others. We believe this wholeheartedly and run a number of appeals at Christmas time, including hampers, toy drives and stockings for the elderly.
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Family Support Service

Spotlight’s team of Family Support Workers support families cope with what life throws at them.  We support parents cope, help to develop confidence and self esteem of parents.
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Young Carers Network

A young carer is a child or young person under the age of 25 that cares for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support.
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IMPACT STORIES

Jessica’s Story

I am Jessica and I am 10 years old. This is my story which I now feel safe enough to share thanks to the team at Spotlight, social services and my new parents. 
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Caring for Macy

Macy aged 8, was selective mute after witnessing domestic abuse between her dad and her mum. She would cry herself to sleep.  Lacking confidence and low self esteem. Spotlight has funded Macy to attend…
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SUPPORTERS

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support us and change the course of a child’s life today!

Sponsor a child campaign

 

Children are at the greatest risk regarding mental health, such as eating disorders, PTSD, anxiety and depression. About one in ten children aged between five and sixteen are diagnosed with a mental health issue every year and about 75% of mental illnesses are thought to start before the age of 25.

As their brains are still developing, this can lead to severe negative effects on a child’s health, relationships and education. Many children suffer low self-esteem and feelings of guilt, often blaming themselves for abuse.  This can make it difficult for them to have trusting relationships and experience loneliness and bullying.

We want to help give children hope, and you can help. £4 per week pays for a child to take part in activities to increase confidence, self esteem and social interaction and improving mental health and resilience.  Creating new positive memories to help children overcome past negative experiences and move forward smiling.

Donate now >

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SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

 

Spotlight UK works across West Berkshire, Basingstoke, and Hart & Rushmoor

Mentoring Support

 

We provide 1-2-1 mentoring and emotional support for children and young people aged 7-19 years from vulnerable backgrounds including young people with mental health issues, young people who are self harming, young people at risk of child sexual exploitation, young carers, children in care, children and young people affected by domestic abuse, neglect or physical/sexual/emotion abuse, children/young people who have experienced loss and separation, young people caught up with drugs/alcohol abuse or anti social behaviour, those excluded from school, those affected by domestic abuse, young people disengaged at school, young people with anger issues, children and young people where one parent is not around or part of their lives.

We currently provide over 4000 hours of 1-2-1 mentoring per year. We receive referrals from schools, GPs, Social Workers, School Nurses, Mental Health Services, Early Help Hubs, Health Visitors and other professionals.

Each child or young person is treated as an individual. Most of the young people we work with just want quality attention, support, encouragement and love. Our team help young people to regulate their emotions, talk through problems they are facing, help young people reach their potential and achieve their goals.

Our role as a mentor is to believe in the young person, make them feel safe, make them feel important and wanted, we see the good when others do not. There is always hope even when it does not feel like there is. Encourage young people to never give up and encourage that they can achieve if they put their minds to it.

You can really make a difference and change a life around…

Become a mentor…

It’s an opportunity for you to change the life of a young person who, through no fault of their own, is not receiving the attention, encouragement and support they need.

Many of the young people after they leave us, return to school, get excellent exam results and some go on to higher education. Others learn to manage regulate their emotions, rebuild relationships with parents or sibling, develop coping strategies to cope with difficult problems at home.

It’s not only the mentees themselves who benefit from a mentoring programme, many of our mentors have said that mentoring has helped them in their employment and looks good on their cvs, as well as the satisfaction that comes from watching a young person grow and achieve.

What does being a mentor involve..

Mentors meet with the same young person once a week, for around six months to one year. The aim is to offer support, encouragement and guidance. Mentors encourage young people to believe in themselves, building up their self-confidence and helping them to achieve their goals.

Many of the young people have been let down by adults and have faced disappointment. They may not have an opportunity to express how they feeling or if they do, they might not have anyone who really cares. The most important thing that a mentor can do is to simply be there for the young person – to be someone that the young person can trust, an adult who will listen to them without judgement.

If you are interested please email admin@spotlightuk.org

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Christmas Appeals

Christmas is a time of giving and helping others. We believe this wholeheartedly and run a number of appeals at Christmas time, including hampers, toy drives and stockings for the elderly.

Our main focus being our Toy Appeal, where we get companies involved as collection points and receive presents from across Berkshire and Hampshire, that we then wrap and send to families in need of a little extra Christmas cheer.

Everyone deserves a happy holiday season.

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Supporting Families

 

Spotlight’s team of Family Support Workers support families cope with what life throws at them.  We support parents cope, help to develop confidence and self esteem of parents.

When life becomes a little overwhelming our team come alongside parents and become a listening ear, an extra pair of hands, a helper around the home, whether that be help with shopping, or help declutter homes or help with housework, or to take a child or children to the park to give the parents a little bit of respite with the point that they know their children are safe and are not getting into trouble outside of the home.

We also provide group support sessions, food/clothes and baby equipment for families in need.

We support parents with mental health issues or physical disabilities, long term medical conditions or terminal illnesses, parents with drug/alcohol dependency, parents with children with additional needs, parents with children and young people with challenging behaviours, parents with multiple births or postnatal depression, or parents who have experienced loss or separation.

With a little support and by coming alongside a parent it can help keep a family together.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer Family Support Worker please email michaela@spotlightuk.org

Spotlight UK’s Young Carer’s Network

 

What is a Young Carer

A young carer is a child or young person under the age of 25 that cares for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support.

Some of the tasks young carers take on include:

  • Tidying the house
  • Shopping
  • Helping wash and dress the person they’re caring for
  • Administering medicines
  • Providing emotional support
  • Looking after a younger brother or sister
  • Cooking meals
  • Washing the dishes
  • Helping with bills and money / collecting benefits

No child should have to shoulder such responsibilities alone.

 

What do Spotlight UK do to support?

We provide:

  • Mental Health Care Packs
  • Christmas presents
  • Monthly newsletter for Young Carers
  • Young Carers Networking Programme
  • Mentoring and support
  • Family Fun Days
  • Inflatable Fun Days
  • Outdoor Activities like Paddle Boarding, Donutting and visiting the Avon Tyrell Adventure Park
  • Trips out like Lagoona Park and Moors Valley Country Park
  • Fun Experiences like Trampolining and Dance classes
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